DIMAPUR, DEC 12 (MExN): Dimapur said goodbye to DC Hekali Zhimomi with the hope that she will return to serve the people even if in different capacities. Describing her as sincere, hard-working and a hard taskmaster, all who had gathered to bid farewell to outgoing Deputy Commissioner were all praises for the woman Dimapur has come to respect. Blushing whenever praises were poured onto her, Hekali had this to say in her goodbye address made at the DC’s conference hall, Dimapur: “It has been such a great learning experience for me. I’ve grown as an officer and as a person.” She was talking of her stint as the district’s head of administration. Putting past misgivings aside, she said, “I’ve been harsh sometimes but it’s never been personal.” She made special care not to miss out the names of all those who had worked with her and also other social organizations with which she had collaborations.
Hekali’s erstwhile personal secretary Jangthungo Lotha said of her: “She’s a very efficient person. I’ll miss her but life has to go on.” The Morung Express caught up with Linda Solo, EAC, before the farewell function. She’s an inspiration to all of us. She works hard and I wonder where she gets her energy from, she says. Stephen Ngullie, SDIO says, “She drove us harder than any other DC we’ve encountered. We are at a great loss because of her transfer.”
Many registered shock over the sudden announcement of her leaving and conveyed the feeling that her transfer was premature. Hekali is an endearing person to not only her staff but to all the people who derive encouragement from her courage. As Tiala, President of the Naga Women Hoho puts it, “Hekali has a big heart embodied in a tiny body.”
The farewell function was also a time for forgiveness and moving forward. Known for her commitment to the projects she undertakes, members of the Dimapur District Aids Control Society, Red Cross, Scouts and Guides and various other agencies who worked with Hekali were saddened by her departure but were of the belief that the IAS officer would ‘shine’ and bring joy wherever she goes.
AK Rai, Additional DC of Niuland describes her as a person who rises above all issues and one who tries to change the system.
With the hope that the next Dimapur DC will be as efficient as Hekali, Dimapur says au revoir to the woman it has come to associate with as an icon of women’s empowerment.
